program of study

This Program of Study is designed for mental health, rehabilitation and recovery services staff working in employment services. It will also be of interest to consumers and other providers, including housing staff, case managers, and clinicians, who are working to break down the numerous barriers preventing people with mental illness from participating more fully in their communities through employment.

The New York Work Exchange aims to provide Program of Study participants with practical, skill-oriented training. Our curriculum is designed to address the knowledge and critical skills needed by providers, peers, and advocates in their efforts to help people with mental illness acquire and sustain meaningful work. Training opportunities are interactive and include experiential exercises and concrete strategies for application.

Events are held at the New York Work Exchange offices. Contact Deborah Short at (212) 742-1122 x235 or dshort@nyworkexchange.org to register.

[download the Program of Study Summer 2003 schedule in PDF format].

April 23, 2003 9am - 4pm, $15
Cognitive Remediation and Employment Services: What is the Connection?

Research indicates that individuals with psychiatric illness encounter difficulties in the work setting due to cognitive impairments. This training seminar will examine the connection between cognitive functioning, such as memory, information processing, speed and problem solving, and the attainment and retention of employment for individuals with mental illness. Participants will learn about cognitive symptoms of severe mental illness including their onset, course, prognosis, effects of medication, and tests that are used to evaluate cognitive functioning. The training will include current information regarding the impact of cognitive impairment on vocational outcomes, and how cognitive impairments affect the delivery of work services. Dr. McGurk will describe cognitive remediation methods and programs currently implemented in work services for consumers. This seminar is geared toward clinical and rehabilitation staff who provide employment services.

Presenter: Dr. Susan McGurk, Mt. Sinai School of Medicine

April 30, May 1, 2, 2003 9am - 4pm, $45
Understanding Benefits: Everything You Always Wanted To Know About Entitlements for Individuals With Psychiatric Disabilities

This training is designed to clarify and break down the complicated world of entitlements into user-friendly information necessary to provide expert benefits counseling. It will provide information about how employment affects federal disability benefits (such as SSI, SSDI, Medicare and Medicaid) and the steps one can take to use federal work incentives to promote career development.  Issues covered will include overpayments, Social Security work incentives, subsidies, IRWE's, Plans for Achieving Self Support, Income & Resources, new legislative changes, and communicating with Social Security including report writing. This training is targeted for rehabilitation professionals, advocates, case managers, social workers, persons with disabilities, family members and others, who are new to benefits counseling or experts.

Presenter: Edwin J. Lopez-Soto, Esq.

Join Ed Lopez at the New York Work Exchange Benefits Breakfast Series on March 12, May 14, and July 2. Bring specific cases to brainstorm, trouble-shoot and problem-solve. More information to follow.

May 29, 2003 9am - 4pm, $15
The Ticket to Work and Medicaid Buy-In Program: Where Do We Stand?

This training is intended to help community rehabilitation and mental health program staff understand the current status of the Ticket to Work and Self-Sufficiency Program and the Medicaid Buy-In Program. Thomas Golden will review the Ticket to Work Program and its impact on current service delivery. Discussion topics will update participants on: Employment Networks, payment systems, collaborative agreements between Employment Networks and VESID, the Ticket to Hire Program, ticket assignment and re-assignment, the removal of work disincentives, protections from Continuing Disability Reviews, Expedited Reinstatement of benefits, dispute resolution, and tips for educating consumers about the Ticket. Nicole LaCorte-Klein will explain the features of the Medicaid Buy-In program including eligibility requirements, and income and asset limits. Slated for implementation in April 2003, this long-awaited program will provide access to Medicaid for working people with severe disabilities. Nicole will also review recommendations submitted to the Department of Health regarding numerous unresolved implementation details that will decide the success and effectiveness of the program.

Presenters: Thomas P. Golden, Cornell University’s Program on Employment and Disability & Nicole LaCorte-Klein, Corporation for Supported Housing

June 18, 19, 20, 2003 9am - 4pm, $45
Choosing, Getting and Keeping Employment: A Recipe for Success

This three day comprehensive training is designed for direct service staff who want interactive, practical training in the "how to" of helping consumers attain employment goals. This training will provide "soup to nuts" information about how to engage service recipients in the entire psychiatric vocational rehabilitation process. Participants will explore readiness assessment, individualized goal setting, and personalized vocational assessment. They will learn how to achieve preferred placements and develop the essential skills and supports needed to assist consumers with job retention. Topics will include the values and principles that guide psychiatric vocational rehabilitation, readiness development, disclosure, and arranging for accommodations on the job. Participants will leave with practical tools and enhanced knowledge and skills to help people with psychiatric disabilities make informed choices about work, gain access to their preferred environments, and sustain employment with satisfaction and success.

Presenter: Debbie Nicolellis, M.S., CRC/LRC, CPRP, Boston University Center for Psychiatric Rehabilitation, Boston MA